Tubing construction



Sept. 25, 1945. G. TQEPPER l-:rAL

TUBING CONSTRUCTION Fil'ed Feb. 8, 1941 INVENTOR. 6.704@

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Patented Sept. 25, 1945 lUNITED STATES MTENT OFFICE TUBING CONSTRUCTION George Toepper and John F. P. Farrar, Maywood, Ill., assignors to Chicago Metal Hose Corporation, Maywood, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application February 8, 1941, serial No. 378,108

1 claim. (o1. 13s- 59) rIhis invention relates to tubing constructions, and more particularly to flexible tubings of the type fabricated of a plurality of different materials.

It is an object of the invention to provide a fluid conducting flexible tubing of new and improved construction, and more particularly to provide new and improved structures, and methods of fabrication, for flexible tubings of the type composed of a plurality of different materials or elements arranged and associated in the composite structure in a particular manner so as to enable each such material or element to best perform its intended function and impart its desired characteristic to the structure.

Further objects of the invention Yare to provide flexible tubing structures, particularly adapted for transmitting hydrocarbon fluids, of increased exibility, decreased weight, and lower cost.

Various additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will appear from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly view of a flexible tubing structure or construction fabricated in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view of the tubing of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale, and shown partly in longitudinal section;

Fig; 3 is a transverse, sectional view, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view, somewhat diagrammatic in form, illustrating a method of fabricating the tubing, in accordance with the principles of the invention, Fig. 4 being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional View through the apparatus of Fig. 4, and taken on the line 5-5 thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, and first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 thereof, it will be seen that the tubing structure illustrated, generally indicated by the numeral Ill, comprises an inner metal core construction II, an outer cover construction I2, and an intermediate wall structure I3 interposed between the core and the outer cover and adapted to form a separation barrier therebetween.

More specifically, the metal core Il comprises a metal wire formed into a series of spiral or helical convolutions, the convolutions being in spaced relationship whereby to provide a series of spaces or the like I4 between the individual wire coils. The wire II may be of any suitable metal such, for example, as copper or the like.

The intermediate wall structure I3, in the particular embodiment illustrated, comprises a series of superposed sheets of regenerated cellulose, the sheets being suflicient in number and relation to form a fluid-impregnable wall structure encompassing the core wire II. To maintain the cellulosic wall structure I3 in intimateassociation with the wire core, and also to impart a wave-like cross section to the wall whereby to permit the flexing of the hose, a cord I5 of any suitable fiber or the like is provided'in encom- 'passing relation to the wall I3, the oord being convoluted and so wrapped about the wall as to cause its convolutions to lie between the convolutions of the wire I I, as best shown in Fig. 2. The cord I5 is wrapped tightly around the wall i3, holding it in position, and imparting to it the wave-like formation shown in Fig. 2.`

The outer cover I2 in the particular embodiment illustrated comprises a wall of rubber or like material vulcanized onto the wall i3 and the cord I5 in encompassing relation as shown. If desired, the external surface of the wall I2 may -be provided with a layer of rubber-impregnated fabric or the like I6 to increase resistance of the structure to external abrasion or abuse.

In the operation of the structure, in use, Yit will be noted that the metal core construction comprising the sprally or helically arranged wire I I, forms a core structure of minimum Weight and of maximum flexibility. At the same time the wire coil constitutes a firm base for the intermediate and outer wall structures, and imparts the necessary body and "strength to the hose structure. The spacing between the coil convolutions permits of a relatively large flexibility of the structure, as compared with hose constructions incorporating a continuous inner `metal lwall, for example of interlocked spiral metal tubing. Additionally, the spacing of the wire con volutions, which spacing may be varied as desired in accordance with the requirements of any particular installation, imparts to the metal core structure a minimum weight and mass. In other words, the strength of the metallic core is utilized while eliminating the inherent difficulties of weight and decreased flexibility.

The embodiment of hose structure set forth is particularly adapted for conducting hydrocarbon fluids, such as gasoline, and other motor fuels and the like, and to that end it will -be noted that the cellulosic wall I3 forms an impregnable barrier between the inner surfaces of the hose and the outer rubber wall I2. Accordingly, the rubber material, which has the characteristic of being attacked and deteriorated by hydrocarbon iiuids, such as gasoline, is protected from the fluids transmitted through the hose and maintained at all times out of Contact therewith. The superposed layers or sheets of regenerated cellulose, maintained in intimate and rm contact, form an impregnable iiuid-tight seal. In order that the wall structure I3 shall not in any way interfere with the flexibility of the hose, it will be noted that the cord I5 is provided, whereby to maintain the cellulosic wall in wave-like contour, permitting of ready flexing or exibility. The cord I5 not only imparts this shaping to the cellulosic wall, but also aids in maintaining the superposed cellulosic sheets in firm contact and in intimate relation to the wire II. Additionally, the cord,-upon application, maintains the parts in position to facilitate the application of the vulcanized rubber cover wall I2.

The outer rubber cover wall I2 and the associated rubber-impregnated fabric layer I6 protects the hose structure from external abrasion and abuse, without impairing the hose flexibility.

In Figs. 4 and 5 there is illustrated improved methods and apparatus for fabricating the hose structure. I t will be seen that the apparatus comprises a rotata-ble mandrel upon which the hose structure is` adapted to be wrapped or formed, and a head structure generally indicated lby the numeral 2I and adapted to be longitudinally transported along the length of the mandrel 20. by means of a pair of rotatable lead screws, 22 and 2 3. Suitable means, not shown, may be provided for rotating the mandrel 20and the lead screws 2,2 and 2'3 in synchronized relation'. The head structure is adapted to be mounted upon the lead screws 22 and 23 by a series 'of threaded bosses 24, 25 and 26.

The head 2| is arranged to carry, on its lower frame 21, supply rolls of wire, regenerated cellulose tape, and cord, for forming the wire core II., cellulosic wall I3, and convoluted cord wrappingl I5, respectively, the wire supply roll 28 being illustrated in Fig.. 5. From the supply roll 28, the wire II is led upwardly over a guide roller 29 and onto the mandrel 20 and is properly positioned on the mandrel in spaced helical arrangement by a series of positioning rollers 3D, 3| and 3 2 carried by the head structure and arranged, in substantially equal relation aroundithe mandrel periphery. The positioning of these rollersV is correlated with the speed of rotation of the mandrel 2,0 in relation to the speed of translation of the head, to determine the pitch which the wire` convolutions will assume upon application to the mandrel structure.

' The regenerated cellulose tape is led from its supply roller` or drum upwardly over a guide roller 35, and ontothe mandrel, in superposed relation with4 the convolutions of the wire II. It will be noted that the width of the regenerated cellulose tape is several times greater than the pitch of the wire I I, so that as the tape is progressively wound onto the wire by rotation of the mandrel, a cellulose wall structure of several layer thickness will be formed. By proportioning the width of the tape with respect to the wire pitch, or the speed of rotation of the mandrel 20 in relation to the translation speed of the head, a wall structure of any desired thickness may be formed.

The ber cord I5 is similarly led upwardly from its supply drum over a roller 36 and onto the mandrel, in superposed relation to the regenerated cellulose sheets, and in this instance the roller 36 has associated therewith an adjustable friction device 3'I so that the roller serves not only asV a guiding means, but also as a means for imparting a predetermined drag upon the cord as it is drawn onto the mandrel. The magnitude of drag maybe adjustably predetermined by adjustment of the friction means 31. Accordingly, as the cord is drawn onto the cellulosic sheets, due tothe drag imparted thereto, the cord will draw the cellulosic wall between the wire convolutions iI and into the shape shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

In the operation of the apparatus, as the mandrel 2S is rotated, Icounterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in Fig, 5,v and as the head ZI is translated, to the left as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, it will be seen that thewire II, the cellulosic wall I3, and the cord I5 will be simultaneously applied to the mandrel forming the hose structure in a single continuous operation. The several guide rollers` insure the proper positioning of the several structural parts upon the mandrel, and the operation is rapid and economical. After a predetermined length of hose has been formed, the tubing may be withdrawn from the mandrel by a slight reverse rotation thereof, opening or relaxing the gripping action of the tubing convolutionfs. The rubber cover I.-2 is then applied and vulcanizedon the tubingflby suitable means and methods which will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodimentsV set forthl and described without, departing.- from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not be be limited to the-specific embodiments shown and described, but onlyas indicated in the following claim.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

A composite hose structure comprising an inner core of spiral wound wire, a wall comprising a plurality of layers of cellulose tapespirally wound about said core, a lament of spirally wound about said taperunder sufficient tension to force spaced portions of said wall inwardly between the convolutions of lsaid core whereby to impart to said wall an undulating conguratiom and an outer jacket of iiexible material molded directly onto saidlament and. said wall and conforming to the contour thereof, Vwhereby upon the thermofixing of said moldable 'material the outer jacket is securely anchored to said wall to effect the sealing of the tape convolution edges.

GEORGE TOEPPER. JOHN F. P; FARRAR. 

